Coronavirus: Kennel Club confirms Crufts will go ahead as planned

‘Public Health England has not advised us to cancel the event,’ say Crufts organisers

(AFP via Getty Images)

Crufts will go ahead as planned this year despite coronavirus fears, the Kennel Club has confirmed.

Following the government’s COBRA meeting on Monday 2 March, the company that organises the annual dog show revealed it had not been advised by Public Health England to cancel the event.

A statement published on the Kennel Club’s website reads: “We are looking forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors as usual.

“However, this does remain an evolving situation and we will continue to adhere to the best available advice.

“We must be guided by the facts and most up-to-date medical information and at the moment, advice from Public Health England has not changed – the most effective thing people can do to protect themselves is make sure that they wash their hands for 20 seconds or more.”

The statement referenced how the government has said it is “important that people go about their business as usual” for the time being.

That said, the Kennel Club confirmed that “enhanced” measures will be in place to protect visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff at Crufts 2020.

“Everyone should note that the main message from Public Health England is on personal hygiene, therefore staff, exhibitors and visitors are also being encouraged to maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene by employing the ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It’ ethos,” the statement continued.

Additionally, extra bottles of hand sanitiser will be introduced in toilets and the in-hall catering areas, it added.

“We continue to monitor the situation with the Department of Health and Defra, and further updates, as and when we have them, will be issued on our official social media channels and website.”

The number of cases of coronavirus in the UK is currently 51, with more than 92,100 people having contracted the illness globally in at least 71 countries.